It is 2014 and DEA agent, Sgt. Marisol Sanchez, has reached
the lowest point in her life. Already carrying guilt over the
deaths of her parents years ago, it is the
disappearance of her friend, Haven, that has tipped her over
the edge. Deciding to end her life seems like her only option,
but as she prepares to leave it all behind, something magical
intervenes. The pocket watch that she bought the night Haven
disappeared begins to hum, and Marisol's life will never be
the same again. For this is not an ordinary watch, as it holds
a powerful male entity that transports Marisol back in time
so that she can help on a mission of justice. But how will a
modern day girl manage in the Wild West of 1865? And could
Marisol find her future in the past?
It is 1865 and Ty Barrett has given up his old life in Boston
to finally have the future he wants on his own ranch. But his
ranch and his workers are under threat from the infamous La
Rosa Negra gang, who have butchered and raped whoever stands
in their way. And they want Ty's ranch. As if he hasn't got
enough on his plate, he stumbles upon a beautiful woman who
seems very mysterious and unusual. With danger threatening
them at every turn, Marisol and Ty cannot control their
scorching hot connection. But as evil sets its sights on
Marisol, will she have to sacrifice her life before she gets a
chance of true happiness?
THE RANCHER AND THE RENEGADE by Jackson D'Lynne is the second
novel in the Three Goddesses series, but can easily
be read as a standalone. As I do not usually read time-travel
romances, I was not sure what to expect from this tale, but I
was delightfully surprised by the characters and the intriguing
plot. Mari carries a heavy burden from her past, and always
doubts that she deserves to be happy and content in her own
life. So it was such a joy to watch her discover her own self-
worth, and open herself up to passion and love. Ty is the
perfect cowboy hero with his caring, strong, protective
personality, and his innate sense of right and wrong. Add in
some magic, mischief and a very dangerous enemy, and THE
RANCHER AND THE RENEGADE by Jackson D'Lynne, will effortlessly
transport you back in time in this truly entertaining novel.
When a heartbreaking tragedy rips undercover DEA agent
Marisol Sanchez’s life apart she has nothing and no one
left. With the cold steel of a Glock 21 in her mouth,
she’s resigned to taking her own life. Before she can
pull the trigger, a strange power interferes, compelling
her to wind a mysterious golden pocket watch—a watch that
propels her backward through time to 1856 Texas.
Harvard lawyer turned cattle rancher Tyrence Barrett is
in a battle he can’t win as desperadoes raid the
settlements along the creek, burning and murdering their
way through the land. On a routine inspection of his
property, Ty stumbles upon a beautiful migrant woman who
seems out of place, completely irresistible, and
strangely compelling…
When evil threatens to destroy the ranch, Mari must use
her wits and determination to help beat back the raiders
who seek to clear the land and claim the water in the
creek for themselves. With Ty by her side, Mari must
learn to forgive herself, rely on the strength of others,
and to love despite the overwhelming fear of loss.
Can a displaced renegade help a Lone Star rancher defend
his home against an encroaching evil? Will the time lost
Mari give in to the desperate sorrow devouring her heart?
Or will Ty show her that a rancher and a renegade can
find love and a happily ever after?
Excerpt
“God, what I wouldn’t give for a pair of shorts, a clean
bra and panties, and my own gun. How am I supposed to
kick ass if I can’t lift my leg higher than the hem of
this friggin skirt?”
“Careful, mulani, your century is showing. Nothing says
‘I’m not from around here’ quite like feminism and kung
fu.”
She snarled, not in the mood to trade witty barbs with an
invisible comedian.
“Tone it down, Wonder Woman, before you prickle Espada’s
nose hairs with whiffs of your wrongness and get him
sniffing around here trying to figure out why. Espada and
his men may look silly all dressed in matching black duds
as they are, but they are all business and all
dangerous.”
“I know that.”
“And now that they think you’re engaged to the rancher,
they’re going to watch you like a hawk, or try to get rid
of you. A heartbroken rancher is easier to manipulate.”
“What do you suppose I do? Huh? Act the dutiful little
woman?”
“No, but you can at least stop being a haughty bitch and
just do what you have to do to get the job done. How is
this any different than any other DEA assignment you’ve
worked?”
Mari couldn’t wrap her brain around it…why was this any
different? Why couldn’t she just go through the motions
to complete their task and get the hell out of Laredo?
Ty. Ty was the difference. He and the desire she felt for
him changed everything and getting involved with him
could screw it all up.
“How? How can getting involved with Ty screw up anything?
You want him, he wants you, you have a scorching fling,
and when the task is done, you cut ties and leave him
behind in the dust of a newly freed Texas town.” Perez
chimed in, not even trying to hide the fact he was
listening to her private thoughts.
The unrepentant ass.
“Would you please give me a moment to think without you
invading my thoughts?” she ground out, tired of his
nonchalant attitude and intrusive behavior.
“Whatever. Just think about it, will ya? A fling would do
you some good, loosen you up a little. You’re too tightly
wound, even for a cop.”
“This coming from the guy who screamed at me for having
naughty thoughts about Ty only a few days ago?” Her
incredulity leaked into her voice.
“Well, I changed my mind,” Perez retorted.
“Uh, huh.”
Seriously? He wanted her to consider having a pointless
affair with Ty?